Device for observing kiln temperatures



Oct. 6, 1959 F. w. wAcK DEVICE FOR OBSERVING KILN TEMPERATURES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 15, 1957 Floyd W Wadt INVENTOR.

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Oct. 6, 1959 Filed May 15, 1957 F.' W. WACK DEVICE FOR OBSERVING KILN TEMPERATURES 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Floyd W WM,

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Oct. 6, 1959 F. w. WACK 2,907,209

DEVICE FOR OBSERVING KILN TEMPERATURES Filed May 15. 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Eloyd W Wad 0 INVENTOR.

Oct. 6, 1959 w, w c 2,907,209

DEVICE FOR OBSERVING KILN TEMPERATURES Filed May 15, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 'I &

Floyd h Wadi, INVENTOR.

United States Patent DEVICE FOR OBSERVING KILN TEMPERATURES Floyd W. Wack, Louisville, Ohio, assignor to Stark Ceramics, Inc., Canton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application May 15, 1957, Serial No. 659,249 6 Claims. (Cl. 73341) The invention relates to means for observing kiln temperatures, and more particularly to a device for observing the temperatures in a plurality of zones within a continuous kiln.

In the normal operation of continuous or tunnel kilns for burning bricks, tile, and other clay products, the bricks or other products are stacked upon flat cars which are continuously moved through the kiln.

Upwards of eight or nine tons of bricks are usually stacked upon each car, resulting in a stack of some considerable height and width. As such a loaded car passes through the kiln, it is therefore quite possible that the temperature may vary considerably at points at different heights in the stack of bricks as well as at laterally spaced points therein.

Since it is necessary that all of the bricks in each stack be burned substantially uniformly, it is desirable that the operator of the kiln may be able to ascertain the temperatures at all such points or zones at all times, so as to be able to properly regulate the heating means in the kiln to compensate for variations in temperature at different points or zones.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide means whereby an operator of a continuous kiln may at all times observe the temperatures at various heights and at transversely spaced points within the kiln.

Another object is to provide such means comprising a temperature recording instrument located exterior of the kiln for recording temperatures at various spaced points or zones within the kiln.

A further object is to provide such a device comprising a temperature recording instrument, such as a multi-point recording potentiometer, located outside of the kiln and operated by heat sensitive device, such as a plurality of thermocouples located at various points within the kiln.

A still further object is to provide a device of the character referred to in which the thermocouples or the like are located at different points in a stack of bricks or the like on a moving car within the kiln.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this type in which a plurality of lead wires are located longitudinally through the kiln and connected at one end to the temperature recording instrument outside of the kiln, the thermocouples located upon a car within the kiln being operatively connected to said lead wires by a trolley device carried by the car.

The above and other objects, apparent from the drawings and following description, may be attained, the above described difficulties overcome and the advantages and results obtained, by the apparatus, construction, arrangement and combinations, subcombinations and parts which comprise the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principle, is set forth in detail in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In general terms the invention may be described as applied to a continuous kiln of considerable length,

2,907,209 Patented Oct. 6, 1959 through which cars loaded with bricks or the like are continuously moved. A plurality of lead wires are located longitudinally through at least the greater portion of the kiln, preferably near the bottom of the kiln and at one side thereof.

These lead wires extend out of one end of the kiln, preferably the exit end thereof, and are connected to a temperature recording device, such as a multi-point recording potentiometer, located at a convenient point outside of the kiln where it may be readily observed by the operator of the kiln.

A plurality of thermocouples are located at different heights and at variously spaced points from one side to the other of the stack of bricks or the like on one of the moving cars within the kiln. These thermocouples are connected by conductors to a plurality of brushes or sliding contacts upon a trolley device carried by the car.

Said brushes slidably contact the lead wires located longitudinally within the kiln so as to electrically connect the thermocouples to the temperature recording instrument, so that the temperatures at the various points where the thermocouples are located will be recorded upon said instrument.

Each of the thermocouples is formed of two wires or similar elements, formed of two different metals, separated by insulation, the upper ends of said wires being joined. The longitudinal lead wires comprise a common wire to which one side of each thermocouple is con nected, through said trolley device, and a wire for each thermocouple, the other side of each thermocouple being connected, through the trolley device, to one of said lead wlres.

When such a construction, as the loaded car carrying the thermocouples, moves through the kiln, the thermocouples will be at all times connected, through the trolley device and lead wires, to the multi-point recording potentiometer. Thus, the temperatures at the various points Within the kiln will be constantly recorded on said recording potentiometer and may be readily observed by the operator, who may properly regulate the heating means to compensate for temperature variations at different points within the kiln.

Having thus briefly described the invention, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings. illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof, in which;

Fig. l is a transverse sectional view through a continuous kiln, showing an end view of a loaded car therein, with parts broken away to show a plurality of thermocouples located at different heights and at transversely spaced points throughout the stack of bricks, and a trolley device carried by the car;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary longitudinal section through the kiln, showing a side elevation of the car shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of the trolley device, showing the manner of connection thereof to the car, and the manner in which the brushes or sliding contacts thereof engage the lead wires;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the trolley device;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, detached perspective view of one of the thermocouples, with parts broken away; and,

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram of the multi-point recording potentiometer, the lead wires connected thereto, the thermocouples and the trolley device for electrically connecting the thermocouples to the recording potentiometer through the lead wires.

Referring now more particularly to the embodiment of the invention illustrated, in which similar reference characters refer to like parts throughout, a portion of a continuous or tunnel kiln is indicated generally at 10. Such kilns are of considerable length and may be up- Wards of three hundred feet long.

The kiln comprises side walls 11, a roof or crown 12, and the bottom or floor 13 upon which are mounted the longitudinally disposed track rails 14 extending throughout the-lengthof thekilnsothat cars loadedwith bricks or the like niay-be moved through the kilnupon said tracks. V

One such car-is indicated generally at 15 in Figs. 1* and 2, and is shown provided with conventional flanged railway carwheels 16 rolling upon the rails 14; The caris shown as having a'metal bed 17 uponwhich is built-up a refractory platform comprising the lower course of fire clayblocks 18, a refractory cement-slab 19,- and courses 20, 21, and 22 of fire clay blocks, all-of which are cemented together to form a solid, rigid platformupon which bricks or the like may be stacked, as indicated at 23, in any usual checkerworkarrangement.

Conventional sand seals are provided for protecting the running gear of the cars from the extreme heat of the kiln. These sand seals are shown as comprisingthe usual troughs 24 supported upon the side walls 11 of the kiln and filled with sand as indicated at- 25, and plates 26 depending from the sides of the car and extendinginto the sand,

Any usual and well known heating means may be cated at desired points within the kiln, above the sand seals. As the heating means forms no part of the present invention, the same is not shown in'the drawings.

Located longitudinally. within the kiln, and extending at least throughout the greater portion of the length thereof, is a plurality of lead wires indicated generally at 27. These lead wires are shown located in the lower portion=of the kiln, near one side thereof, andare supported uponinsulation spools or the like 28, mounted upon the adjacent side wall of the kiln as indicated at 29.

The lead wires 27 extend through one end of the kiln, preferably. the exit end thereof, and are connected to a temperature recording instrument, such as the multi-point recording potentiometer indicated generally at 30 in Fig. 6. This instrument is of conventional construction, being provided with a usual pen or stylus 31-for multiple recording upon a moving roll or'chart as indicated at 32, all in usual and'well known manner.

For the purposeof obtaining the temperatures at various points within the kiln, a plurality of'therrnocouplcs are provided. Each of these thermoc'ouplesrnay be of the construction shown in detail in Fig. 5, and comprises a' pair of elements in the form of wires or the like formed of two different metals, as indicated at 33 and 34.

The elements 33 and 34 are located through openings 35 in the insulation members 36, and the upper ends of the two elements are joined together as by twisting or the like, as indicated at 37.

As best shown in-Fig. l, a plurality of these thermocouples are located upon the car, preferably near one end thereof, and are built up to various heights within the refractory platform of the car and the stack of bricks loaded thereon, and are located at transversely spaced points from one side of the car to the other side thereof.

Although any desired number and spacing of the thermocouples may be used, for the purpose of illustration six thermocouples are shown, two near each side of the stack of bricks and two at the longitudinal central portion thereof, and at different heights, as bestsho-wn in Fig. i.

For the purpose of electrically connecting the thermocouples to the lead wires 27, so as to operate the multipoint recording potentiometer 30, a trolley device is carried by the car, and indicated generally at 38.

This trolley device is illustrated in detail in Figs. 3 and 4, and comprises generally an insulation block 39 having thereon a plurality of brushes or sliding contacts 49, corresponding in number and spacing to the lead Wires 27 in the kiln,

These brushes or sliding contacts are preferably of channel or U-shape, and areformed ofsuitahle conductor 4. material. In practice they may be formed by splitting copper tubing longitudinally in half.

For the purpose of detaehably mounting the trolley device upon the car, a bracket plate 41 is fixed to one end of the insulation block 39 and provided at its free end with a hook 42 adapted to engage over the lower fiange 43 of the channel'frame'niember 44 of the car.

A latch bolt 45 is slidably mounted through suitable ap'e'rturesin the ears 46', upon the bracket plate 41. The bolt'45 is loaded by coil spring 47, so as to 'be urged into the opening 48 inthe channel frame 44 of the car to detachably connect the trolley device thereto.

One wire element 33 of'each'thermocou'ple may be formed of a nickle-aluminum alloy commonly known as Alumel, and the other element 34 may be formed of a chrome alloy commonly known as Chromel.

With the arrangement illustrated, using six thermocouples, seven'lead wires 27' are required, one of said lead'wires indicated at LG being a common wire to which the Alumel elements 33 of'all of the thermocouples are adapted to be connected. Instead of having a common wire, an individual'leadwire may be provided for the Alumel element of'each'thermocouple.

The Chromel element 34 of each ofthe thermocouples is adapted to be connected to one ofthe other six lead wires; Tlnsconn'ection is made through 'the-trolley device 38. For this purpose, a wire 49 connects the Alumel' elements 33 of-e'ach of the thermocouples to one brush'or sliding contact 40 which engagesthe'common leadwire LC-.- In like manner,- wires50 connect-the Chrorhel elements 34013 the several "thermocouples each to one of the other brushes or sliding contacts 40 of the trolley device.

For the purposeof disconnectingthewires 49 and 50 on the trolley device'from' the corresponding wires on the car, so that thetrolley device maybe removed from -'the car when desired, a connector-plug 51 is 'provided-upon the trolley device for detachable connection to a plug-in receptacle 52 upon the car, asshbwiiin Fig; 3.

With the construction illustrated and"abo 'e described, the-thermocouples 'may be located at the desiredpoints throughout the'load of bricks or the like upon the car, andthe trolley device '38"may"be attached tothecar in themanner above described.

As the car, equipped with the thermocouples"and trol ley device, moves through the kiln; the brushesbr'sliding' contacts'4ll on the trolley device will 'each pick up the correspondinglead wire'27 fr'om the'ins'ul'ation spools 28 and will remain in sliding contact therewiththroughout' the movement of the car through thekiln;

The multi-point 1 recordingpotentiometer 30will' thus be continuously connected to 'the thermocouples on the moving car and will he constantly'operatedthereby; so as to'record the temperatures at the various po'intsof location of the thermocouples in the kiln, throughout the entire passage of the" car' through 'the kiln."

Thus, the 'operator'may'at all times observe; up'onth'e' recording potentiometer, the'temperaturesat the various poi'ntsin' the kilnso'that he may regulate theheat'ing means to compensate for variations in temperatures as may be required. 7 g

Although'the invention'is disclosed-as"applied toa continuous kiln forthe burning of clay products, it should be understood'that it may be used upon continuous furnaces through which any materials maybe carried u'po'n" movable cars or the like;

In :the foregoing description, certainte'r'm's' have been used'for brevity, clearness' and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom be yond the requirements of the prior art, because such words areused'for descriptivepu'rjgio's'e's herein a'nd'are intended to be broadly construed. V

Moreover, the embodiments'of'the improved constructionillustrated and described herein 'are by way 'of ex ample, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction.

Having now described the invention or discovery, the construction, the operation, and use of preferred embodiments thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful construction, and reasonable mechanical equivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for observing temperatures at spaced points upon a car movable longitudinally through a continuous kiln, the car having a frame member with a flange thereon, said device comprising a plurality of lead Wires located longitudinally through the kiln, a multi-point recording potentiometer connected to said lead wires at a point exterior of the kiln, a plurality of spaced thermocouples upon the car, a trolley device comprising an insulation block, a plurality of brushes on the block, each brush slidably engaging one of said lead wires, a bracket plate on said trolley device having a hooked end engaging the flange on said frame member, a spring loaded latch bolt on said bracket plate operatively engaging said frame member for detachably mounting the trolley device on the car, and conductor means connecting said thermocouples to said brushes.

2. vA device for observing temperatures at spaced points upon a car movable longitudinally through a continuous kiln, the car having a frame member with a flange thereon, said device comprising a plurality of lead wires located longitudinally through the kiln, a multipoint recording potentiometer connected to said lead wires at a point exterior of the kiln, a plurality of spaced thermocouples upon the car, a trolley device comprising an insulation block, a plurality of brushes on the block, each brush slidably engaging one of said lead wires, a bracket plate on said trolley device having a hooked end engaging the flange on said frame member, a spring loaded latch bolt on said bracket plate operatively engaging said frame member for detachably mounting the trolley device on the car, conductor means connecting said thermocouples to said brushes, and receptacle and plug means detachably connecting said conductor means.

3. A device for observing temperatures at spaced points upon a car movable longitudinally through a continuous kiln, the car having a frame member with a flange thereon, said device comprising a plurality of lead wires located longitudinally through the kiln, a multipoint recording potentiometer connected to said lead wires at a point exterior of the kiln, a plurality of spaced thermocouples upon the car, a trolley device comprising an insulation block, a plurality of brushes on the block, each brush slidably engaging one of said lead wires, a bracket plate on said trolley device having a hooked end engaging the flange on said frame member, a spring loaded latch bolt on said bracket plate operatively engaging said frame member for detachably mounting the trolley device on the car, a receptacle on the car, conductor means connecting the thermocouples to said receptacle, a plug detachably mounted in said receptacle, and conductor means connecting said plug to said brushes.

4. A device for observing temperatures at spaced points upon a car movable longitudinally through a continuous kiln, the car having a frame member, said device comprising a plurality of lead wires located longitudinally through the kiln, a multi-point recording potentiometer connected to said lead wires at a point exterior of the kiln, a plurality of spaced thermocouples upon the car, a trolley device comprising an insulation block, a plurality of brushes on the block, each brush slidably engaging one of said lead wires, a bracket plate connected to the insulation block, means for detachably connecting said bracket plate to the frame of the car, and conductor means connecting said thermocouples to said brushes.

5. A device for observing temperatures at spaced points upon a car movable longitudinally through a continuous kiln, the car having a frame member, said device comprising a plurality of lead wires located longitudinally through the kiln, a multi-point recording potentiometer connected to said lead wires at a point exterior of the kiln, a plurality of spaced thermocouples upon the car, a trolley device comprising an insulation block, a plurality of brushes on the block, each brush slidably engaging one of said lead wires, a bracket plate connected to the insulation block, means for detachably connecting said bracket plate to the frame of the car, conductor means connecting said thermocouples to said brushes, and receptacle and plug means detachably connecting said conductor means.

6. A device for observing temperatures at spaced points upon a car movable longitudinally through a continuous kiln, the car having a frame member, said device comprising a plurality of lead wires located longitudinally through the kiln, a multi-point recording potentiometer connected to said lead Wires at a point exterior of the kiln, a plurality of spaced thermocouples upon the car, a trolley device comprising an insulation block, a plurality of brushes on the block, each brush slidably engaging one of said lead wires, a bracket plate connected to the insulation block, means for detachably connecting said bracket plate to the frame of the car, a receptacle on the car, conductor means connecting the thermocouples to said receptacle, a plug detachably mounted in said receptacle, and conductor means connecting said plug to said brushes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,547,623 Smalley July 28, 1925 1,598,176 Theraldsen Aug. 31, 1926 2,109,396 McCoy Feb. 22, 1938 

